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excelexcel-formulavlookup

Excel VLOOKUP returning same value in all rows


The vlookup function appears to be broken. It is returning the same value for all lookups, but it should not.

I have it set like so:

=VLOOKUP(A3, Asset_Mapping!A$2:B$673, 1)

Where the lookup value is in the B column and the result is in the A column.

I use the $ so the rows are not auto-updated to A3:B674 etc as I paste the formula down the rows. However, even if I manually enter that formula into the next row, it is not finding the correct value.

IF i remove the "$", the correct values are found for the first rows where the values fall within the modified range (e.g. Asset_Mapping!A3:B674) but eventually as expected it stops finding the values as the range is invalid.

What am I doing incorrectly here? I have formulas set to auto-calculate.


Solution

  • Without testing on your actual data it's hard to confirm this will work but add the false parameter. This will find exact matches and not the first partial match.

    =VLOOKUP(A3, Asset_Mapping!A$2:B$673, 1, false)
    

    Collating the points together and clarifying the formula

    Parameter 1: The value you are looking for

    Parameter 2: The table with the data. First column is the value you are looking for.

    Parameter 3: The column number of the value you want to show.

    Parameter 4: If you want an exact match or partial match.

    @Jeeped made the point of ordering data to get more reliable results. Good advice.